Westfield State University $80 million expansion plan advances

WESTFIELD - A revised master plan that will bring a new residence hall, new academic building and expansion of dining facilities to Westfield State University at an estimated cost of $80 million has advanced to the design and development phase.

The university’s Board of Trustees agreed this week to move forward with the project, approving location of the classroom building and dining commons enhancements but citing two possible locations for the new dormitory.

In October, the Master Plan located the dormitory in front of an existing residence hall, using a portion of the existing campus open space.

But because of review and comments by members of the campus community, including staff and students, an alternative site that will preserve the green area was presented to trustees Thursday.

A permanent location for the new residence building will be determined after design and engineering studies are completed. That process is expected to begin in the spring.

The alternative site is located to the north of the Ely Campus Center and overlooks a bluff area between the college and Route 20.

Parking displaced by construction at that site will be relocated elsewhere on the campus, officials said.

Altaf Mulla, senior study manager for the state’s Division of Capital Asset Management, told trustees the original recommendation spurred legitimate concerns in the campus community while the alternative “allows preservation of the campus green and presents a wonderful opportunity for unique design.”

Also, WSU president Evan S. Dobelle observed “once you take away green, it cannot be replaced.”

As a result, Dobelle’s recommendation to trustees was to approve both concepts with the final site selection based on results of design and engineering studies on both sites.

Kenneth M. Lemanski, WSU vice president of advancement and college relations, said “campus opinion is against the site in front of Lammers Hall.”

The project will be financed through a revenue bond, meaning future WSU students will ultimately pay for the new buildings. The university already has $4 million in funding for expansion of its dining commons and that work could begin as early as next year.

Construction of the new residence and academic buildings will take at least two years to complete.

Lemanski has suggested that bonding will be sought with assistance from the state School Building Authority and Division of Capital Management and ultimately the cost will be borne by students who attend Westfield State University. He said financing could be planned for calendar 2012.

The latest construction work on campus was the $1.2 million renovation of the Banacos Academic Center.

Also, Ely Campus Center was renovated a year ago at a cost of about $10 million.

The new residence hall will stand four stories high and provide 410 students beds, a need that was identified in a 2009 survey of college services, programs, facilities and enrollment. The target date for occupancy is 2013-2014.

The addition to the dining commons would provide an additional 200-300 seats with a new wellness or fitness center on the second floor. That is also targeted for occupancy in 2013-2014.

A new academic building, proposed for location along Western Avenue, will serve either general academics or specialized science and technology. No target date for occupancy has been set.